Power transfer systems for movable privacy glazing structures

Abstract

A power transfer assembly includes a window balance assembly, a pivot bar, and an electrically conductive pathway. The window balance assembly includes a first portion configured to be fixed in place and a second portion configured to be movable relative to the first portion. The pivot bar is conductively coupled to the second portion of the window balance assembly. And, the electrically conductive pathway extends between the window balance assembly and the pivot bar.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrically dynamic system comprising:
 a first pane of transparent material; 
 a second pane of transparent material; 
 an electrically controllable optically active material positioned between the first pane of transparent material and the second pane of transparent material, the electrically controllable optically active material being positioned between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer; and 
 a power transfer assembly comprising:
 a window balance assembly including a first portion configured to be fixed in place, relative to at least one of the first pane and the second pane, and a second portion configured to be movable relative to the first portion; 
 a pivot bar conductively coupled to the second portion of the window balance assembly; and 
 an electrically conductive pathway between the window balance assembly and at least one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive pathway is between the first portion of the window balance assembly, the second portion of the window balance assembly, the pivot bar, and the at least one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the window balance assembly includes an electrically conductive material, wherein the second portion of the window balance assembly includes an electrically conductive material, and wherein the electrically conductive material of the first portion of the window balance assembly is conductively coupled to the electrically conductive material of the second portion of the window balance assembly. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the electrically conductive material of the second portion of the window balance assembly includes an electrically conductive receiver and one or more electrically conductive contacts, the electrically conductive receiver configured to couple to the pivot bar to conductively couple the pivot bar to the second portion of the window balance assembly, and wherein the one or more electrically conductive contacts are configured to be in electrical connection with the electrically conductive receiver. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the window balance assembly includes a curl spring having an uncurled end portion and a curled portion, wherein the first portion of the window balance assembly includes the uncurled end portion and the second portion of the window balance assembly includes the curled portion, and wherein the one or more electrically conductive contacts are in conductive contact with the curled portion so as to conductively couple the uncurled end portion to the electrically conductive receiver. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the power transfer assembly further comprises:
 a conductive line including a first end portion and a second end portion that is opposite the first end portion, the first end portion of the conductive line conductively coupled to the pivot bar and the second end portion of the conductive line conductively coupled to the at least one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a driver electrically connected to the first electrode layer, the second electrode layer, and the conductive line, 
 wherein the driver is configured to:
 receive power from the conductive line, 
 convert the received power to a drive signal, and 
 provide the drive signal to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer for controlling the electrically controllable optically active material. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive pathway between the window balance assembly and the at least one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer includes, at the second portion of the window balance assembly, an electrically conductive receiver and one or more electrically conductive contacts, the electrically conductive receiver configured to conductively couple to the pivot bar and rotate with the pivot bar, the one or more electrically conductive contacts configured to conductively couple to each of the first portion of the window balance assembly and the electrically conductive receiver. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pane of transparent material, the second pane of transparent material, and the electrically controllable optically active form a privacy glazing structure, and wherein the privacy glazing structure is movable relative to the first portion of the window balance assembly. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third pane of transparent material; and 
 a spacer separating the third pane of transparent material from the second pane of transparent material to define a between-pane space therebetween, the between-pane space being filled with an insulative gas. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sash surrounding a perimeter of at least the first pane of transparent material, the second pane of transparent material, and the electrically controllable optically active; and 
 a frame mountable into an opening in a wall, the sash being movable relative to the frame, 
 wherein the first portion is operatively connected to the frame and the second portion is operatively to the sash. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is a single-hung window or a double-hung window.